World Health Organization Issues Warning Over Severe Lack of Weight-Loss Medications
Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people ā fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase access, through measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound ā the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy ā is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
